HAWTHORN forward Jack Gunston remains in contention to play against Fremantle after a faster-than-expected return from a medial strain.
He could replace star goalkicker Jarryd Roughead, who will miss with a one-game suspension from last Saturday's clash with Melbourne.
Gunston warmed into training on Thursday after minimal participation in the goalkicking warm up.
But he ran with the group when it broke into drills and kicked at goal later in the session with heavy strapping on his right knee.
Midfielder Isaac Smith said Gunston had been feeling "pretty excited" about the possibility of returning ahead of schedule for the clash with the Dockers, but selection would depend on how he managed Thursday's session.
The Dockers may select Michael Walters, who is expected to return after a long-term ankle injury, to play alongside fellow small forwards Hayden Ballantyne, Hayden Crozier and Max Duffy.
"Whenever you play Freo, you've got to have your defensive pressure on, otherwise they just run on top of you," Smith said.
"They've got some good small forwards and I guess Walters will be back in the line-up.
"It's probably going to be the tale of two small forward lines this weekend, so hopefully we can just get on top and win the game of football."
Smith said he wasn't sure if defender Brian Lake would return from his four-match ban and make the trip to Perth.
The Hawks are facing a six-day break on the back of the match at Patersons Stadium and may elect to hold Lake for the following Saturday night's clash with Geelong.
However, defender Matt Spangher left training after the initial goal-kicking warm up and didn't return.
"I don't know how we're going to line up - I guess they'll try to predict how Freo will line up and will try and assess that," Smith said.
"If Lakey comes in, he can do the job as you've all seen, so hopefully we can get him back up to some strong match fitness and get him going."
Lake trained fully on Thursday and looked fit after his four weeks out for his ugly spat with North Melbourne's Drew Petrie.
Smith said there was no hurry on Cyril Rioli's return to football with the enigmatic forward still working on his recovery from a hamstring tendon injury.
The goal-sneak didn't train with his teammates on Thursday.
"I think ideally we'd have him flying for finals so I don't think he's ahead or behind schedule but if we can get him going for that, that would be ideal," Smith said.
"With 'Gunna' and 'Roughy' and a few others, they're pretty special talents and you get them in the side and it probably lifts us a cog or two."
Smith said the Hawks weren't too concerned about winning the minor premierships as the logjam at the top of the ladder tightened up.
Geelong and the Sydney Swans are on 15 wins with the Hawks, with the Dockers two games behind in fourth spot.
Smith said the idea of finishing on top was secondary to securing an all-important home final.
"I don't think it carries much at all, to tell you the truth," he said.
"Ideally, you probably just want to finish top four and give yourself a second chance.
"I think that's what most clubs are aiming to do.
"It's very important. To finish top two would be ideal ... you can secure all your finals in Melbourne.
"Travelling to Patersons Stadium or up to ANZ (Stadium) or the SCG, it probably isn't ideal first week of the finals, but I'd play a final in a cow paddock in the middle of the desert so it wouldn't worry me."
